Chilmark survives and triumphs . . . that’s the good news this week. The severe storms have left their temporary marks on our surfaces but despite the aggravation, 85 voting Chilmarkers travelled to the town meeting on Monday last and voted with speed and decisiveness. They unanimously voted for the recommended plan for improving the situation at Squibnocket Beach, and also approved without debate the financial items included on the short warrant. The Squibnocket committee, a group of seven citizens selected by the moderator, met for 23 weeks and labored through the facts and figures to come up with their recommendation to the selectmen. Now the real work begins. The selectmen thanked those who worked on the project, volunteers all.

A few words about the snowstorms; it was a test of endurance for all but, as usual, many rose to the challenge and helped themselves, their families, neighbors, friends, and pets to survive and enjoy the experiences. As I write in early week, there is sunshine on deep drifts and hard ice. The temperature this morning is 10 and the birds are begging. The sander has been out but common sense is saying stay in! Drifts are high at the corners and crossroads, so driving includes some extra care. Parking lots at all public places are cleared and the food truck is working and welcoming at the Chilmark Store parking lot.

We send condolences to the friends and family of Peggy Charren. She was a long-time summer resident of Chilmark and well known and loved by many. She made major contributions to the television industry’s children’s programing. She became an advocate for better programing and spent many years fighting for improvements in that field, founding Action for Children’s Television. We all have benefited from her hard work and tireless efforts. Thanks to Zee Gamson for her recollections, elsewhere in this paper, of Peggy, Chilmark, and the early interest in children’s TV programing. Peggy broke new ground, and for that, many parents were, are and will be forever grateful.

Norman and Diana Freed have left their State Road home for more convenient living quarters in Canton. Winter life became a challenge and the move will give them easier access to family and fun. We look forward to seeing them when they visit next summer. They were year-round residents for many years and contributed in many ways to life on the Island. Norman was chairman of the Chilmark library trustees for many years as well as serving on many town committees. Diana volunteered for many programs Islandwide. We wish them happy days in Canton.

The arrival of the snows interrupted some serious work being done on the sides of the roads. The North Road was being trimmed back to the stonewalls with the cutting of the bush barrier. It was looking good and it was nice to see the old walls with the gold/green moss enhancing their looks. But now we will have to wait for the spring thaws to see them again. Also, Jim Morgan was restoring a nice old wall in front of the Stanley Larsen home seen from the post office parking lot. It is an interesting wall being reconstructed with the original cut stone that was lying about on the premises. My family folklore always said that my second great-grandfather, James Mosher, who was a stonemason, built that wall and others made of the cut stone. The family story was that there was a shipwreck on the south side that was loaded with stone being shipped from Maine to either New York or Philadelphia for use as curbstones. Many Chilmarkers brought home blocks and some are seen today around town as hitching posts, walls and curbstones! I can’t prove any of it, but it was fun to hear Jim agree that some of the stone is pink and pink granite is found in Maine!

If you are in Manhattan this month you can see Carol Brown Goldberg’s show of recent paintings. The show, entitled Paintings: The Color of Time, is at the Denise Bibro Fine Art Gallery at 529 West 20 street in New York. Carol is a popular Chilmark summer resident at Peaked Hill and many know the Goldberg’s yacht, Banjo, a summer fixture in Menemsha. Carol has gained high regard for her paintings and sculpture in recent years.

The Chilmark library invites children to meet Llama Llama at the library Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. The popular storybook character will visit the stories and songs program led each week by children’s librarian Kristin Maloney. The Martha’s Vineyard Library Association sponsors this program.

The library will host author Michael Blanchard at the Wednesday program on Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. Mr. Blanchard will describe his book, Fighting For My Life, Finding Hope and Serenity on Martha’s Vineyard, and he will illustrate his talk with slides. Admission is free to these weekly programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Librarian and crafts leader Irene Tewksbury at the Chilmark library is in need of old baby socks for one of her future projects. If you have any to spare, please drop them off for her. She can be reached at 508-645-3360.

Pathways Projects continue at the Chilmark Tavern in the center of town. There are programs for those with interest in the arts. The Living Room Gallery and Bookshelf is open from noon to 4 p.m., closed Wednesday and Sunday. Please call 508-645-9098 for details.

Marshall and Katie Carroll of South Road enjoyed a visit from their daughter, Bradley, who is currently a student at the University of Tampa.

Congratulations to Ryan Kurth and wife Katy Maciel on the recent birth of their son, Latham Paul Kurth. Cheers from us all.

Many thanks to Katie Carroll who so ably continued the column for me. And, again, many thanks to all who supported me when I needed it most. I love my town.

Send your Chilmark news to: slaterjn@comcast.net.